Black grouse breed in the North York Moors after re-introduction - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
Black grouse translocated to the North York Moors in a bid to expand the range of one of the UK’s rarest birds have successfully bred and fledged a total of 12 chicks in their first breeding season.
It is likely the first time in nearly 200 years black grouse have bred in the area. Occasional females have been spotted on the North York Moors in recent years, but before this summer, there are no reliable records of successful breeding since the 1840s.
The Black Grouse Range Expansion Project, funded by Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme and led by the GWCT, saw 20 birds - 10 males and 10 females - moved from their stronghold in the North Pennines to the North York Moors last autumn. They were caught by researchers at night-time roosts and immediately transported to the release site two hours’ drive away.
Eight males and eight females were fitted with radio tags and followed through the breeding season to assess movements, survival and breeding behaviour.
The seven males still present in the spring established leks in and around the area where they had been released, where they displayed to attract females and encourage them to mate.
Posted On: 23/09/2025
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